Tae Kwon Do Rules, Etiquette & Pledge

1. Always show proper respect to your Grandmaster and Master Instructors with a full traditional bow, both in the Dojang and outside of the Dojang. Bowing is an international sign of respect. It shows respect for you and others.

2. Always address your Grandmaster with the title Kwan Jang Nim and your Master Instructors with the title Sa Bum Nim at all times both in and outside of the Dojang.

3. When speaking to a Master or an Instructor please show respect by addressing them with Yes Sir/No Sir; Yes Ma'am/No Ma'am.

​4. When your approach your instructors, address him/her first with a bow, then speak to them politely, thank them and finish with a bow.

5. Upon entering the Dojang, stand at attention follow thus with a full bow to the Dojang and then to your Master.

6. Higher ranking students shall set a good example, by showing respect to the lower ranking students and helping them when necessary, and not to take advantage of your rank and authority. In this way, there is always a relationship of respect among all students, regardless of their rank.

7. All lower ranks shall obey and show respect to the higher-ranking students.

8. If you arrive to class after it has begun, repeat rule number 5 and wait at attention until permission to participate in class. Never leave class without the Instructor's permission.

9. Always wear a clean and neat dobalk to all classes, practice sessions, demonstrations, and tournaments.

11. Pre-class time should be spent by stretching, warming up, meditating, or practicing your techniques. Any talking should be kept to a minimum.

12. Your Dobalk must be covered at all times outside of the Dojang. i.e with a tracksuit top, jacket etc.

13. I pledge to exercise in my daily life those principles of I have learned at Garston Taekwondo and to display them in my everyday walk of life. I pledge never to use the physical form of Taekwondo in any but a discreet and judicious manner outside of the training area, except to protect the honor or well being of family, the defenseless, or myself. Never degrade Garston Taekwondo, Martial Arts, or your Instructors.

14. Always Do The Best You Can Do!

Tae Kwon Do Tenets

Courtesy/Etiquette

To promote the spirit of mutual concessions

To be ashamed of one's vice contempting that of others

To be polite to one and other

To encourage a sense of justice

To distinguish instructor from student, senior from junior

Integrity

Firm adherence to a standard of values. One shall be able to define right from wrong, and have the conscience, if wrong, to feel guilt.

Perserverance

One must be able to adhere to the beliefs and purpose of Tae Kwon Do. To become a leader in Tae Kwon Do, one must learn to be patient and to persevere.

Self-Control

One must exert self-control both inside and outside the dojang. Self-control must be practiced to avoid injury to self and others.

Indomitable Spirit

One shall be modest and honest. In the face of injustice, one shall not be subdued or vanquished. Instead, the conflict must be overcomed without any fear or hesitation.

Belt Colours & Their Meanings

White

Innocence

White signifies a birth, or beginning, of a seed. A white belt student is a beginner searching for knowledge of the Art.

Yellow

Sunlight

Yellow signifies the first beam of sunlight which shines upon the seed giving it new strength with the beginning of new life. A yellow belt student is given his/her first ray of knowledge, opening his mind, from an instructor.

Green

Growth

Green signifies the growth of the seed as it sprouts from the earth reaching toward the sun and begins to grow into a plant. A green belt student learns to further develop and refine his/her techniques.

Blue

Sky and Heaven

Blue signifies the blue sky as the plant continues to grow toward it. A blue belt student moves up higher in rank just as the plant grows taller. The light feeds the plant so it can continue to grow. The student is fed additional knowledge of the Art in order for his/her body and mind continue to grow and develop.

Red

Danger

Red signifies the red-hot heat of the Sun as the plant continues growing toward it. A red belt student is higher in rank, he/she acquires more detailed knowledge and, just as the plant grows slowly toward the Sun, so the red belt student learns to be more cautious as his/her knowledge and physical abilities increase.

Black

New Beginning

Black signifies the darkness beyond the Sun. A black belt seeks new knowledge of the Art. As he/she begins to teach others, he/she begins planting new seeds, his/her students, many of which will take root deep into the Art, blossom and grow through the ranks in a never-ending process of self-growth, knowledge, and enlightenment